CHENNAI: As work on the Chembarampakkam water treatment plant reaches a crucial stage, questions are being raised about the advisability of having the Rs.220-crore project.

Critics point out that the Chembarampakkam tank, having a capacity of 3,645 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft), had not reached its full level after December 1998. Though it can be attributed to the "successive failure of northeast monsoon," another factor cited by the critics is the non-receipt of full share of Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh. The authorities decided to use the tank along with other storage points only after anticipating that Chennai would receive 12 tmc ft a year.

The idea of having a treatment plant at the tank site flows from this rationale. "So, what is the point in constructing a plant when there is no certainty about receiving the full quantum of water," a critic wonders.

(During 1996-98, the tank reached its full level for three years consecutively. Prior to that, excess water from the tank was let out in November 1985 and in 1976.)

Farmers' need

The other issue is that the tank has not yet become totally available for the city water supply as it is still used by some farmers.

The treatment plant is expected to be ready by December. Metrowater, the project promoter, will float tenders shortly for laying pipelines from the treatment plant to Porur and Koyambedu for distribution to several parts of the city.

However, the officials say the project has been proposed to meet the future requirements. This would help make more potable water available to Chennai residents in times of a heavy rainfall or a successful monsoon. Moreover, one should not come to the conclusion on the basis of the present conditions.

Even when Chembarampakkam does not receive heavy rain or inflow and if there is more water available in the Satyamurthi Sagar at Poondi, water can be transferred once the Poondi reservoir reaches the level of 22 ft (out of the total 35 ft).

As regards the share of water for farmers, the officials point out that water from the tank will be used for the city supply only after ensuring that the farmers' interests are protected. The ayacut, which was originally about 13,300 acres, now stands at around 1,700 acres. There will be enormous amount of water after meeting the farmers' needs. Given the tank's proximity to Chennai, the rapid pace of urbanisation has changed the profile of land use in Chembarampakkam area. Tamil Nadu has been urging Andhra Pradesh to take early steps to provide its full quota of 12 tmcft of Krishna water.

Also, the plant can operate to the full capacity even when the storage is not much. For producing 530 million litres a day, 20 million cubic feet of raw water is required. Thus, the Government's decision is wholly based on sound considerations, the officials add.

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